Supporters at Republican headquarters faced disappointment Tuesday night as Linda Lingle and Charles Djou lost their races to Democrats – but both candidates emphasized the power of democracy and expressed hope for Hawaiʻi Republicans in the future.

“No one likes to come up short in an election like this,” said Lingle in her concession speech. “But we can hold our heads high. … We ran a great race, based on issues, based on a vision for the future, and the public gets to decide in the end.”

“I … very willingly yield to the will of the people,” said Djou in his speech.

The candidates conceded within 15 minutes of each other (9:45 and 10 p.m. respectively). As of 11 p.m. on election night, Mazie Hirono led Lingle 62 to 37 percent, and Colleen Hanabusa led Djou 54 to 45 percent.

‘TWO-PARTY SYSTEM’

Photo Credit: Matt Sylva

While congratulating Hirono and Hanabusa on their wins, both candidates promised future involvement.

“We are all going to remain involved … in making our community even better,” said Lingle in her speech.

Lingle and Djou also both emphasized the importance of a two-party system and expressed hope that Republicans might gain influence in the future.

“It’s very important for our state to have a balanced two-party system. So the Republicans will have to find a way to increase their numbers over time,” said Lingle in an interview with Ka Leo when asked about the future of Republicans in Hawaiʻi. “But I think whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat or an independent, you would conclude that society benefits when you have a balanced two-party system. Who watches that one dominant party [in a one-party system]?”

Djou shared a similar sentiment in an interview with Ka Leo after his concession. “I’m still hopeful that one day Hawaiʻi will have a two-party democracy and really competitive elections,” he said, “but that day is not tonight.”

TO UH STUDENTS

“I had so many UH students help me in this race. And they were an inspiration to me, and they say I was an inspiration to them. This support worked both ways, and I was inspired by them because they were very focused on their future. And that’s what I try to do during my campaign,” said Lingle after her concession speech.

Lingle had this to say to UH students: “Think things through on your own. That’s what college is about – being able to question things and being able to think in an analytical way about the issues.”

“Hawaiʻi is still going to be dominated by the Democratic Party, but I still believe that that’s not going to last forever,” said Djou. “Maybe it’s one of [Ka Leo’s] readers who’s going to help change that one day.”

Neither Linda Lingle nor Charles Djou has arrived at Republican headquarters, but the mood is festive, with food and live entertainment from musicians John Kauwenaole and Jimmy Suza.

A survey of supporters shows the crowd is optimistic.

Coyde Burchill is here to support Djou. “He’s very smart, very educated, very fiscally responsible,” Burchill said of Djou. “He really cares about people, and he’s a good family man.” When asked whether he thought Djou would be able to win, he responded that Djou “has a very good chance.”

Clifton Jenkins is a supporter of both Djou and Lingle. “We got to get this mess out of Washington,” Jenkins said when asked why he is supporting Lingle. He also mentioned that he was previously on active duty in the military and thought Lingle had handled herself well as governor. “And after watching the debate between Lingle and Mazie Hirono, who could support Hirono?” he asked. He’s confident that Lingle will win. “She’s got this,” he said.

Eileen Asing attended the event in support of Lingle. “I think she has a good chance of winning … She was more respectful and less vicious than Hirono [in the debates],” responded Asing, when asked about Lingle’s chances and why she might win. Asing thinks that the debates helped Lingle.

Photo Credit: Matt Sylva

Chad Wolke gave his support of both Lingle and Djou. “Close, but pretty good chances,” replied Wolke when asked about their chances at winning. “She ran a really good campaign. … She will be the better senator,” said Wolke.

David Chang, chair of the Hawai‘i Republican Party, gave an update to the crowd around 7:30.

“Technically, the first readout should have come out half an hour or 45 minutes ago,” said Chang, relaying the troubles at various polling locations. He also noted that the first readout generally favors Democrats because they tend to vote early or absentee. But he encouraged Republican supporters to remain positive. “We’re still in this for the long haul,” he said.

Every election many of us look for information that is not from the plethora of TV ads. Check out some better known and lesser known Hawaii News Sources. Also look for lesser known web pages from larger news sources.

Improving relations within the Asia-Pacific area in line with the president’s plan, trying to preserve Medicare and Social Security and tackling the national debt are the top three goals of Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, should she be re-elected as representative for Hawai‘i’s First Congressional District.

“…And we are the center [of the Pacific]. And we will play that critical role. And it affects everybody,” said Hanabusa in an interview with Ka Leo when speaking of the future of Hawaii in Asia-Pacific relations.

The Social Issue of our Times

LGBT rights are currently among of the biggest issues and congressional hot topics of today. Yet this question has been minimally addressed in such a Democrat heavy state.

“My position has always been that I am watching to see that outcome [same-sex and LGBT rights becoming equal rights issues] and when it happens I’m in full support,” said Hanabusa.

Hanabusa mentioned her role in supporting previous pro LGBT legislation while President of the Hawaii State Senate.

What about Education?

Hawai‘i’s public schools have problems with bullying, funding, structure and meeting test scores. Hanabusa addressed some of the problems in the following way.

“Race to the Top is designed by President Obama to do exactly that…[help schools with the most critical need],” stated Hanabusa when speaking of her support of the program.

Hanabusa mentioned the test taking structural issues that Hawai‘i is challenged with compared to states that chose to change their test taking procedures and that a long-term solution might be to try to change them to keep up with the standards of the No Child Left Behind program.

Of Economic Importance

Increasing pressure on the middle class to fend for themselves with college loans, and dwindling resources for lower class families has made attending college harder to achieve without accumulating massive amounts of student loan debt. How is this related to the national debt crisis?

“We need to break from this mantra that seems to be proposed by a lot of Republicans (focused primarily on making cuts from the budget), said Hanabusa when speaking of a Democrat measure that instead imposed a spending cap for Congress.

The congresswoman stated that many federal budgets are planned 10 years at a time.

Campaign Coverage

Check out Kaleo.org for breaking updates on Election Night, Nov. 6 from the various campaign headquarters. More information about Hanabusa’s stance on various issues can be found at: http://www.hanabusaforhawaii.com/issues.

Turning around the economy and creating more jobs, tackling the national debt and creating a more open and responsible government are the top three goals of former Congressman Charles Djou, should he be elected as representative for Hawai‘i’s First Congressional District.

“…Until we get that [an equal two party democracy in our state] Hawai‘i’s future is never really gonna move forward, because we don’t have that healthy competition of ideas that I think is more commonly exhibited in the other 49 states,” said Djou in an interview with Ka Leo when speaking of other important issues.

The Social Issue of our Times

Local media have covered the candidates’ positions on many issues, but one that has been largely ignored in such a Democrat controlled state are LGBT rights.

“For myself I believe that marriage is defined as a union between one man and one woman. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t believe that every individual shouldn’t be respected in their own community,” replied Djou when asked about same-sex marriage and LGBT rights.

Djou mentioned that he voted in favor of the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) and that it has nothing to do with a person’s service as a soldier.

The former congressman brought up the 1998 Hawaii voters’ decision to support a state constitutional amendment granting the state legislature the power to “reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.” The amendment won with a vote of 69.2 percent.

What about Education?

Public schools in Hawai‘i suffer from a myriad of problems including bullying, funding, structure and meeting test scores. Here’s what Djou stressed to address some problems.

“…Much smaller school boards give parents greater control over their schools…break up our school board, said Djou. (Hawai‘i is the only state in the nation with a single school board that governs every public school in the state.)

“I am a big proponent and champion of charter schools,” replied Djou. He mentioned that they aren’t for everyone, but that they are a good solution for “a lot of our children.”

Djou also supports the Race to the Top program.

Of Economic Importance

Many students already feel the strain of college loans, food and utility bills. How is the national debt related to our individual debt?

“…Your future is going to be dictated not by your dreams, but by your debt that our country is going to leave you, said Djou when speaking of the nation’s debt crisis.

“With as much debt as people are incurring right now to go and gradutate from the University of Hawai‘i, tacking on an additional $50,000 from the Federal Government is simply irresponsible,” stated Djou.

Campaign Coverage

Check out Kaleo.org for breaking updates on Election Night, Nov. 6 from the various campaign headquarters. More information about Djou’s stance on various issues can be found at: www.djou.com/notes/Issues.